Teens feel better after brief encounters with miniature horses and donkeys
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Researchers at the University of California, Davis, discovered that adolescents who spent three minutes with miniature horses and donkeys experienced improved moods.
The study involved 61 teenagers interacting with a herd of rescued miniature horses and donkeys named Olivia, Randy, Mary, and Memphis. Half of the teens stroked the animals’ backs, while the other half scratched their necks, mimicking equine grooming behavior.
The researchers also asked the teens to watch for specific cues from the animals, lip-wriggling, which signals pleasure, and walking away, indicating a desire for space. They found that the equines showed a preference for neck scratches, wriggling their lips during 75% of those interactions compared to 48% during petting. Importantly, all teens reported feeling calmer and less nervous, sad, lonely, or excited after the interaction.
However, teens who observed the animals showing positive cues like lip-wriggling experienced greater reductions in loneliness. Surprisingly, those who saw the animals walk away also reported feeling less sad. Rebecca Calisi Rodríguez, the lead researcher, explained that this suggests a meaningful interaction doesn’t always require constant engagement, and that observing an animal’s choice to approach or withdraw can create a more authentic connection.
The team hopes this work will lead to animal-assisted interventions that prioritize the well-being of both people and animals.
